merchandiseredition
home appealwww.engleonline.comhome / garden / renovation
Published by Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc.
freeApril 2012
this issue: Veggie Growing 101
harvesting a HEALTHIER
GARDEN
BUY FRESH, BUY LOCAL
new look at COMPOSTING
Photo By : Melissa McKee
[2] home appeal April 2012
merchandiseredition
Everyone loves homegrown tomatoes,
and it is fun to share a tasty harvest with
friends and family. By following a few
simple tips you can ensure that your tomato
plants will thrive.
First you need to decide if you will plant
your tomatoes in the soil or in containers.
Some people prefer to begin growing
tomatoes indoors and transplant them outside
when the plants are stronger. When growing
tomatoes indoors, place them in a sunny
south facing window if possible or give
them artifi cial light. The garden or
patio location for your tomatoes
should also give them plenty
of sun.
Tomatoes thrive in well-
drained, highly organic
soil (preferably with a pH
between 6 and 7.) To keep
them well drained, plant
in a raised bed about
six inches high after
any danger of frost has
passed. Plant seedlings
three feet apart if you are
going to let vines cover
the ground or plant two
feet apart if they will be
supported in cages.
When transplanting
tomatoes, make the hole
a couple of inches deeper
than the container the plant is
leaving. After the tomatoes are
planted, most experts recommend
watering them slowly and deeply to
ensure a strong root system. Mulching is
recommended to produce a bigger crop. You
can use two to three inches of organic
compost around the base of the plant
to help prevent water loss and deter
weeds. When the tomatoes begin
to appear about one inch in size,
it’s smart to work fertilizer into
the soil and water the plants
well.
Using tomato cages will give
your plants extra support and
help keep leaves and fruits off
the ground. Cages are relatively
inexpensive and should last
through several growing
seasons. You will fi nd them at
nurseries, home improvement
and hardware stores. When
using cages, space the plants between two and four
feet apart. If you decide not to use cages, prune your
plants where the leaf meets the stem by clipping side
shoots as they grow. This helps keep the plant strong
and fosters a bigger crop.
You will probably want to grow more than one
variety of tomato. Determinate vines bear fruit more
quickly, but they usually don’t produce much fruit after
reaching full growth. Indeterminate vines take longer
to bear the fi rst fruit, but they will continue producing
tomatoes as long as weather conditions are favorable.
Many gardeners plant a combination of determinate
and indeterminate tomatoes so they will yield fruit at
different times throughout the summer. You also may
want to plant a combination of sizes, such as cherry
tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes,
for different uses. Some of the more popular varieties
include Better Boy, Big Boy, Early Girl, Patio, Large
Cherry, Celebrity, Jackpot, and Beefmaster. Cherry
tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are good choices for
container plants since they don’t grow as large. Early
Girl matures in 52 days, Better Boy matures in 72 days,
and Roma matures in 76 days. Check the label of plants
or seeds that you buy for the maturation rate.
Birds are attracted to bright red tomatoes. A trick
some gardeners use to fool the birds is to hang red
Christmas tree ornaments on the vines a week or so
before you expect the fi rst tomatoes to ripen. After the
birds peck the hard ornaments they will usually leave
the tomatoes alone.
Water your tomatoes at least once a week unless
you have rain. You may need to adjust the watering
schedule depending on the temperature where you
live. Do not allow leaves to become wilted.
Dusting tomatoes with a fungicide and vegetable
insecticide will help keep down disease and insect
problems. If cut worms are a problem, you may have to
sprinkle around your plants with bug and snail bait. The
alternative is to be vigilant and pick worms off by hand
before they can destroy your plants.
Fertilizing enhances the fl avor of tomatoes and
keeps the plant in a production mode. Some people
apply tomato and vegetable fertilizer when the tomato
fruits fi rst form. If blossoms begin to fall off without
becoming fruits, you can apply tomato bloom spray,
which encourages the plant to set fruit. Hot weather
is one of the biggest deterrents to fruit setting. When
night temperatures exceed 75 degrees F and daytime
temperatures exceed 92 degrees F, most tomato
varieties will stop setting new fruit.
Tomatoes should be allowed to ripen on the vine.
Pick them when they are fi rm and have reached their
optimum color. If tomatoes fall off, or there is danger of
frost, they may be picked and placed on a windowsill or
in a brown paper bag to ripen. Copyright © Publishers-
Edge
Everyone loves homegrown tomatoes,
and it is fun to share a tasty harvest with
friends and family. By following a few
simple tips you can ensure that your tomato
First you need to decide if you will plant
your tomatoes in the soil or in containers.
Some people prefer to begin growing
tomatoes indoors and transplant them outside
when the plants are stronger. When growing
tomatoes indoors, place them in a sunny
south facing window if possible or give
them artifi cial light. The garden or
patio location for your tomatoes
should also give them plenty
Tomatoes thrive in well-
drained, highly organic
soil (preferably with a pH
between 6 and 7.) To keep
them well drained, plant
in a raised bed about
six inches high after
any danger of frost has
passed. Plant seedlings
three feet apart if you are
going to let vines cover
the ground or plant two
feet apart if they will be
When transplanting
tomatoes, make the hole
a couple of inches deeper
than the container the plant is
leaving. After the tomatoes are
planted, most experts recommend
watering them slowly and deeply to
ensure a strong root system. Mulching is
recommended to produce a bigger crop. You
can use two to three inches of organic
compost around the base of the plant
to help prevent water loss and deter
weeds. When the tomatoes begin
to appear about one inch in size,
it’s smart to work fertilizer into
the soil and water the plants
Using tomato cages will give
your plants extra support and
help keep leaves and fruits off
the ground. Cages are relatively
inexpensive and should last
through several growing
seasons. You will fi nd them at
nurseries, home improvement
and hardware stores. When
feet apart. If you decide not to use cages, prune your
plants where the leaf meets the stem by clipping side
shoots as they grow. This helps keep the plant strong
and fosters a bigger crop.
variety of tomato. Determinate vines bear fruit more
quickly, but they usually don’t produce much fruit after
to bear the fi rst fruit, but they will continue producing
tomatoes as long as weather conditions are favorable.
Many gardeners plant a combination of determinate
and indeterminate tomatoes so they will yield fruit at
different times throughout the summer. You also may
want to plant a combination of sizes, such as cherry
tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes,
for different uses. Some of the more popular varieties
Cherry, Celebrity, Jackpot, and Beefmaster. Cherry
tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are good choices for
container plants since they don’t grow as large. Early
Girl matures in 52 days, Better Boy matures in 72 days,
and Roma matures in 76 days. Check the label of plants
or seeds that you buy for the maturation rate.
some gardeners use to fool the birds is to hang red
Christmas tree ornaments on the vines a week or so
before you expect the fi rst tomatoes to ripen. After the
birds peck the hard ornaments they will usually leave
the tomatoes alone.
you have rain. You may need to adjust the watering
schedule depending on the temperature where you
live. Do not allow leaves to become wilted.
problems. If cut worms are a problem, you may have to
sprinkle around your plants with bug and snail bait. The
alternative is to be vigilant and pick worms off by hand
before they can destroy your plants.
apply tomato and vegetable fertilizer when the tomato
fruits fi rst form. If blossoms begin to fall off without
becoming fruits, you can apply tomato bloom spray,
which encourages the plant to set fruit. Hot weather
night temperatures exceed 75 degrees F and daytime
temperatures exceed 92 degrees F, most tomato
varieties will stop setting new fruit.
Pick them when they are fi rm and have reached their
optimum color. If tomatoes fall off, or there is danger of
frost, they may be picked and placed on a windowsill or
Edge
TOMATOES
GR
OW
IN
G
TOMATOES
BIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICYBIG, JUICY
home appeal [3] April 2012
merchandiseredition
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Spring is here at last! Most of us cannot wait to shake off the
winter blues, to get out into the sunshine, walk the dog, play catch
with the kids or just take a stroll in the park. For homeowners, it
is the fi rst chance to work on the yard, restore a lush lawn and,
for an increasing number of gardening afi cionados, create a home
vegetable garden. Even inner city urbanites with a postage stamp-
sized yard have been swept up by the ‘grow your own’ movement.
Victory Gardens, fi rst introduced by Eleanor Roosevelt during
the Great War, were the original community raised gardens. People
were encouraged to grow their own veggies in support of the war
effort. Today, raised garden beds have become the eco-friendly
solution for eating healthier without adding to the carbon footprint
caused by trucking produce from the grower to the store.
Home vegetable growers control the quality of the soil, nutrients
and other additives so veggies and fruits grown in a raised
garden bed often taste better, are healthier and cost much less
than those from bought at the local market. Of course, the
icing on the cake is the self-satisfaction and joy of serving
up delicious tomatoes and veggies picked fresh from a personal
garden.
Items to consider when preparing a raised garden bed include
the following:
* Think vertically. Adding a trellis to a raised bed vegetable
garden greatly increases the amount of vertical growing space
and provides the needed support for cultivating squash, beans,
tomatoes and other vines. As well as giving a viable option for those
without a lot of space, a vertical growing system also pays numerous
dividends to the garden itself. Plants on the vine enjoy greater air
circulation and so are healthier and not as susceptible to disease.
* Add compost and mulch to the garden. If weeds
are a gardener’s worst enemy, compost and mulch might just be
a gardener’s best friend. Compost adds any number of micro-
organisms to the soil, strengthening a plant’s roots and enabling it
to pick up more nutrients in the process. Mulch, meanwhile, can
help keep down harmful weeds, thereby reducing the competition
a plant will have for valuable water and nutrients.
Harvesting aHarvesting aHarvesting a
GARDEN
Today, approximately 30 percent of residential homes in North America cultivate a vegetable
patch and most will tell you that the growing season can be full of surprises. Here are a few quick
tips to refresh your start-up skills in the vegetable patch:
* Clean up: Clear your patch by removing grass, rocks, or other debris.
* Till the soil: Add at least 6 centimeters of new vegetable garden soil
to provide nutrients, improve drainage, and promote strong root growth.
* Plant at the right time: Early season vegetables include
broccoli, carrots, lettuce, peas, and spinach. By early June, you can
plant the warm-weather vegetables like corn, tomatoes, cucumbers,
and peppers.
* Prevent weeds: Put a layer of mulch around the plants
* Control pests and disease: keep an organic-approved
spray handy for insect and disease control.
* Water: Keep seedlings moist by watering regularly.
* Harvest: Your bounty should grow
quickly from seedlings to a full harvest in less than
60 days.
CULTIVATE YOUR OWN BOUNTY
Harvesting aHarvesting aHarvesting a
GARDENGARDEN
Healthier
merchandiseredition
60 days.
[4] home appeal April 2012
Spring is here at last! Most of us cannot wait to shake off the
winter blues, to get out into the sunshine, walk the dog, play catch
with the kids or just take a stroll in the park. For homeowners, it
is the fi rst chance to work on the yard, restore a lush lawn and,
for an increasing number of gardening afi cionados, create a home
vegetable garden. Even inner city urbanites with a postage stamp-
Victory Gardens, fi rst introduced by Eleanor Roosevelt during
the Great War, were the original community raised gardens. People
ort of the war
effort. Today, raised garden beds have become the eco-friendly
solution for eating healthier without adding to the carbon footprint
Home vegetable growers control the quality of the soil, nutrients
and other additives so veggies and fruits grown in a raised
garden bed often taste better, are healthier and cost much less
than those from bought at the local market. Of course, the
cake is the self-satisfaction and joy of serving
garden.
th
garden greatly increases the amount of vertical growing space
and provides the needed support for cultivating squash, beans,
tomatoes and other vines. As well as giving a viable option for those
without a lot of space, a vertical growing system also pays numerous
dividends to the garden itself. Plants on the vine enjoy greater air
circulation and so are healthier and not as susceptible to disease.
are a gardener’s worst enemy, compost and mulch might just be
a gardener’s best friend. Compost adds any number of micro-
organisms to the soil, strengthening a plant’s roots and enabling it
to pick up more nutrients in the process. Mulch, meanwhile, can
a plant will have for valuable water and nutrients.
home appeal [5] April 2012
merchandiseredition
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Garden compost can be a garden’s
best friend. Compost promotes soil health
and enables plants to grow to their best ability.
Many home gardeners prefer to make their own
compost. It is easily achieved with items that normally
would be discarded, including many items that ardent
gardeners may be unaware of.
COMMON COMPOST MATERIALS
Items like eggshells, banana peels, apple cores, paper,
leaves, and coffee grounds are often included in a
home compost pile. These items break down by natural
bacteria and produce a rich fertilizer for plants.
LESSER-KNOWN COMPOST MATERIALS
There are many things that can be turned into
compost. Here’s a list of common items that can avoid
the landfill by being turned into compost.
Composting
1. pet hair
2. paper napkins
3. lint
4. pine needles
5. matches
6. chicken manure
7. old herbs
8. sawdust
9. weeds
10. hair clippings
11. tea bags
12. paper towels
13. bird cage cleanings
14. stale bread
15. leather
16. old pasta
17. pea vines
18. grapefruit rinds
19. newspaper
20. tissues
21. cotton swabs with paper
sticks
22. dried out bouquets
23. potato chips
24. yogurt
25. shrimp shells
26. toenail clippings
27. pie crust
28. toothpicks (wood)
29. tossed salad
30. old beer
31. feathers
32. fi sh bones
33. envelopes
34. cardboard
35. pencil shavings
36. grocery receipts
37. dead insects
38. wool socks
39. pickles
40. dust bunnies
41. toast
42. chocolate cookies
43. oatmeal
44. tofu
45. spoiled wine
46. straw
47. nut shells
A NEW LOOK AT
[6] home appeal April 2012
home appeal [7] April 2012
merchandiseredition
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home appeal [8] March 2012
By Lori Baer
Spring launches the start of the best months to buy
fresh, local foods. Lancaster County residents are
particularly lucky to live in an area rich in agricultural
production. The benefi t is direct access to fresher, better
tasting, more affordable foods, which is good for you
and good for Lancaster. The Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy
Local® (LBFBL) chapter makes it easy to fi nd local foods
convenient to your home, workplace, and everywhere in
between.
You’ve probably seen the colorful Buy Fresh Buy Local®
label around the county. Behind it stands a network of
consumers, farmers, markets, restaurants, and businesses
working together to increase the access of Lancaster
residents to foods grown in their own county.
“Supporting the local ‘food system’ helps maintain the
diversity and resilience of Lancaster’s farm sector,” said
Linda Aleci, chair of Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy Local.
Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy Local is the only organization
in the county dedicated to this mission.
“We develop resources, and serve as a resource,
to ensure the abundance of Lancaster’s fi elds feeds
Lancaster residents fi rst and brings fair prices to our
farmers,” says Aleci.
The campaign’s initiatives, which include a Guide
to Local Foods, educate the public on the benefi ts of
local foods and direct consumers to sources for locally
produced foods. They also assist farmers’ access to local
markets and build business-to-business connections.
The initiative is critical because Lancaster’s local foods
can’t be taken for granted. Today, a farmer receives only
about 16 cents of every dollar spent on food, and the
average farm household earns about 87 percent of its
income from non-farm sources. Farmers, locally and
nationally, struggle to make a viable living from farming.
Many go out of business.
“In Lancaster County from the late 1990s to the early
2000s, there was a
40 percent decline
in direct-to-
consumer sales,”
said Aleci. “To put
this into
perspective, in
the 1980s there
were five to six
times the number
of farmers selling
at Central Market
as there are today.
That’s a loss for
our economy and quality of life.”
As the number of farms decrease, Lancaster’s
dependence on enormously long supply chains for food
increases. We end up knowing less about where and how
food is produced, and our food dollars no longer return
to our community.
Buying directly from local farmers generates greater
profi tability at the farm gate, with a payback to the local
economy: If all Lancaster County households shifted
5 percent of their grocery budgets to local foods, our
local economy would capture an additional $45 million
annually.
What can you do? Look for the Lancaster Buy Fresh
Buy Local logo when you shop: It confirms the foods
being sold come from Lancaster County. Visit www.
lancasterbfbl.org or pick up the Guide to Local Foods and
learn more about the campaign. Sign up for the monthly
e-newsletter for a list of LBFBL farms, businesses, and
restaurants, as well as recipes, event announcements,
and tips on what’s in season. Or, get involved directly!
For information about volunteering or about farm and
business memberships, contact [email protected]
or 380-7280.
home appeal [8] March 2012[8] home appeal April 2012
It's good for you
and for LANCASTER COUNTY
BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL —
!good Spring launches the start of the best months to buy
fresh, local foods. Lancaster County residents are
particularly lucky to live in an area rich in agricultural
production. The benefi t is direct access to fresher, better
tasting, more affordable foods, which is good for you
and good for Lancaster. The Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy
Local® (LBFBL) chapter makes it easy to fi nd local foods
convenient to your home, workplace, and everywhere in
You’ve probably seen the colorful Buy Fresh Buy Local®
label around the county. Behind it stands a network of
consumers, farmers, markets, restaurants, and businesses
working together to increase the access of Lancaster
“Supporting the local ‘food system’ helps maintain the
diversity and resilience of Lancaster’s farm sector,” said
Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy Local is the only organization
“We develop resources, and serve as a resource,
to ensure the abundance of Lancaster’s fi elds feeds
Lancaster residents fi rst and brings fair prices to our
The campaign’s initiatives, which include a Guide The campaign’s initiatives, which include a Guide
to Local Foods, educate the public on the benefi ts of
local foods and direct consumers to sources for locally
produced foods. They also assist farmers’ access to local
The initiative is critical because Lancaster’s local foods
can’t be taken for granted. Today, a farmer receives only
about 16 cents of every dollar spent on food, and the
average farm household earns about 87 percent of its
income from non-farm sources. Farmers, locally and
nationally, struggle to make a viable living from farming.
“In Lancaster County from the late 1990s to the early
good merchandiseredition
home appeal [9] April 2012
merchandiseredition
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[10] home appeal April 2012
It is widely known that fruits and vegetables should be a large part of a healthy diet. Produce can be
delicious, but many people shy away from fresh produce because they do not know how to store it
properly. For anyone who has bitten into a mushy banana or found a slimy squash inside of the
refrigerator, here is a primer on how to properly store produce. Proper storage also can save
you money and prevent wasted food.
* Peaches, plums and other pitted fruits generally can be stored right on a
counter at room temperature. These fruits are usually picked before they are fully ripe,
and they will continue to ripen once you bring them home. If fruits are very ripe, then place
them in a perforated plastic bag and put them in the top part of the refrigerator.
* Bananas are another fruit that is picked before optimal ripening, hence
the green bunches you often find at the store. Bananas should be stored at room
temperature until they are ripened. Again, if very ripe, bananas can be put in the refrigerator
to prevent spoilage. The skin will turn brown, but it won’t affect the flesh of the fruit.
* Apples should be stored at room temperature and away from other fruits
and vegetables. They produce a gas that can ripen other produce very quickly.
* Moisture is the enemy of most produce. You can store celery, carrots, lettuce, or
cabbage in a crisper drawer in the refrigerator, but they should be kept dry and used quickly.
Line the bottom of the drawer with an absorbent paper towel and be sure not to keep produce
in tightly sealed plastic bags. Eventually moisture will rot these items or at least cause them to
become soggy.
* Root vegetables such as potatoes, yams and onions do best at room temperature
and away from the floor, or anywhere vermin may be present. A cool, dark place, such
as a pantry cabinet, would be effective. Refrigeration may compromise the taste of many root
vegetables. Gases form and can turn starches into sugar.
The best advice is to use fresh produce quickly. A home garden enables you to pick what you
need and to use it within a day or two.
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home appeal [11] April 2012
Saving money is a good idea no matter what the season. But
with warmer weather and longer days on the horizon, there
is no better time to be penny-wise -- and have some fun in the
process. Here are some great ideas for making the most of the
season -- and maybe even putting a little extra away for a summer
vacation.
* Plant a vegetable garden. Spring is the time to get your
garden going so that it will provide a bounty of fresh -- and
inexpensive -- vegetables all summer long and into the fall.
Optimal planting times vary by region. May is generally best for
planting gardens in the northeastern and central states.
* Learn the art of canning. Extend the savings -- and
enjoyment -- from your garden by preserving fruits and vegetables.
While the process requires little in the way of equipment, it does
require an understanding of the process and a commitment to
cleanliness. The results, however, are defi nitely worth the effort.
* Hold a yard sale. Whether you call it a yard sale, garage
sale or tag sale, it is a surefi re way to rid your home of unwanted
items and make some extra money at the same time. Remember,
since the secret to a successful yard sale is foot traffi c, it pays
to advertise. In addition to putting up signs at well-traveled
intersections in your neighborhood, it pays to spend a few dollars
on a newspaper ad or hang up fl iers on public notice boards at
your local post offi ce or supermarket.
* Invest in a crockpot or slow cooker. In addition to saving
time, slow cookers are the frugal cook’s best friends -- particularly
during the spring and summer. Not only do they transform less
expensive cuts of meat into tasty and tender meals, but they save
energy because they keep kitchens cool even when the weather
grows warm.
* Drop your dryer. Air-drying laundry is a boon to the
environment and your bottom line. If you do not have an outdoor
space to hang laundry, there are several types of indoor drying
racks available, including space-saving models that are designed
to be hung on a wall or fold away for easy storage when not in
use.
* Alter kids’ winter wardrobes. Here is a tip for handy
parents with growing kids. Since kids will likely outgrow their
current winter clothes by next year, parents can save a bundle
by transforming long sleeves into short sleeves and pants into
shorts. If you have a sewing machine and measure carefully,
you can quickly create a warm-weather wardrobe for your kids
without spending a dime.
Tips for Growing
Your Nest Egg
as the Weather Warms Up
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FeatheredFeatheredFeathered
Feathered
Feathered
Feeding
Our
Many people associate certain sights and sounds with warm weather. Ocean
waves crashing, lawns glowing green, bright fl owers, and birds chirping often
come to mind when one thinks of spring and summer. Unfortunately, not
every homeowner can enjoy the soothing rhythm of the ocean from the
comfort of their own front porch. Individuals can, however, savor the lyrical
sounds of birds regardless of geography. Installing bird feeders around your
property can invite nature closer and can make a wonderful addition to
any lawn or garden, adding aesthetic appeal and bringing music into the
backyard.
Choosing a bird feeder can depend on where you’ll be hanging it or
what types of birds you wish to attract. Feeders come in a variety of
shapes and sizes, so whatever the layout of the property, there is sure
to be a perfect fi t.
* Tray (platform): These feeders are simply a big, open tray that’s
easy to fi ll and which make it easy for birds to access seed. What’s
more, tray feeders can accommodate several birds at one time, and
most birds will jump at the chance to feast at this type of feeder.
There are some who will be reluctant, however, including doves,
quail, sparrows and other ground feeders. These birds, though,
can dine on any seed that gets spilled over.
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[12] home appeal April 2012
P AYMENTS A S L OW A S
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Ask For Details
730 S. Broad St. (Rt. 501) • Lititz, PA 17543 KellerKubota.com 717-626-2000; 1-877-3-KUBOTA
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Friends* Hopper feeders: These have plastic
or glass enclosures that dole out seed as it is
needed. These feeders are a smart, economical
choice since seed isn’t wasted and remains
protected when not being eaten.
* Wi dow feeders: Before storm windows and
screened-in windows infi ltrated modern society, birdseed
was simply strewn out on an open window sill. Modern
homeowners can still invite birds to get up close and personal
with a window feeder that mounts like a window box. There are
even models that simply suction to the window itself.
* Tube feeders: These may be the most effi cient type
of feeders available. They are self-contained, the seed stays
dry, and they hold a large amount of seed, making refi lling
an infrequent job. Tube feeders can also accommodate
a good number of birds at one time.
* Nectar feeders: Some birds, like hummingbirds
and orioles, prefer sweet nectar or sugar water over
seed. Use a nectar feeder to attract these birds.
home appeal [13] April 2012
merchandiseredition
n
The arrival of spring and summer has long been celebrated by
people from every corner of the globe as a time to say farewell to
the cold and gray of winter and to welcome the return of warmth
and color. While spring is breathing new life into the outdoors, it’s
also a perfect time to add a little seasonal “oomph” to your indoor
environment. Here is an assortment of tips for brightening your
home in celebration of spring.
* Bring the outdoors in. Spring fl owers, arranged either in one
large bunch or in several mini-bouquets placed in nooks throughout
the house are not only a visual treat, but often emit refreshing
springtime scents.
* Brighten up. Adding seasonal touches to your home can be
as easy as painting a piece of furniture, a single wall or the trim in
the sunniest room in your home. The best colors for spring are light,
clean, refreshing, and natural, as opposed to either pale pastels or
deep, color-drenched hues. Consider paint colors inspired by nature,
such as shamrock, violet, slate and goldenrod.
* Lighten up. It is hard to imagine that spring has sprung in a
room decked out in velvet or other heavy fabrics. Warm days and
spring breezes call out for sheer or lightweight curtains, slipcovers
in natural solid-colored or fl oral fabrics, and decorative pillows that
bring splashes of color into the room. It is not necessary to replace all
of the fabrics in a room to usher in a new season. Sometimes simply
changing out pillows and removing warm winter throws is enough.
* Floor it. Do not forget to give your fl oors a spring facelift as
well. Substitute lighter cotton, sisal, jute or seagrass rugs in natural
shades for the heavy wool rugs that feel so right when the weather
turns cold. Before storing heavier fl oor covering, though, check them
for wear, spots or damage. Spring and summer are the perfect time to
have wool rugs cleaned and/or repaired.
* Re-view. Shifting the arrangement of the furniture and decorative
pieces in a room can have a major impact on its look and feel. During
the cold winter months, it may be comforting to be nestled in a chair
that faces a fi replace. But once the weather warms up and the fl owers
begin to bloom, the best view in the house might well be out the
window. Invite spring into your home with a furniture arrangement
that is oriented toward a window or other source of natural light.
Then sit down and enjoy the view.
FIVE EASY WAYS toFIVE EASY WAYS to
Add a Touch of Summer
merchandiseredition
Then sit down and enjoy the view.
[14] home appeal April 2012
home appeal [15] April 2012
merchandiseredition
S7
407
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Roofing • Windows • Siding
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717-824-0155
We recycle your old roof!
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[16] home appeal April 2012
$300 MET ED
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MAY 31,2013
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Brownstown:
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